News Release: Government announces project to upgrade 8.4 kilometres of the Queen Elizabeth Way

For Immediate Release
August 21, 2000

Government announces project to upgrade 8.4 kilometres of the Queen Elizabeth Way

NIAGARA FALLS - The award of a $14.9-million project to upgrade 8.4 kilometres of the Queen Elizabeth Way was announced today by Transportation Minister David Turnbull and Bart Maves, MPP for Niagara Falls.

"In an increasingly global economy, good highways truly are roads to prosperity," said Turnbull. "The Ontario government continues to invest in safe and efficient highways to support jobs and growth across Ontario."

This is part of $37.2 million in highway construction projects announced by Turnbull today.

The contract was awarded to Hard Rock Paving Company of Port Colborne. The project includes resurfacing on the Queen Elizabeth Way from 0.6 kilometres north of Lundy's Lane to 1.3 kilometres south of Lyon's Creek Road; resurfacing of all the ramps at the McLeod Road and Lyons Creek Road interchanges; and repairs to nine highway structures. Safety-related work includes installation of a concrete median barrier, partially paved shoulders with rumble strips and new high mast lighting.

"The Queen Elizabeth Way is Ontario's gateway to the world's largest commercial market," said Maves. "This project will keep people and goods moving safely and smoothly to and from border points in the Niagara Falls area."

Work is scheduled to start in mid-August, with completion in the fall of 2001.

This investment is part of the government's five-year, $20-billion SuperBuild initiative designed to build for the future by improving capital planning, priority setting and investment. The government's goal is to make the entire capital investment process more strategic, more responsive and more accountable. SuperBuild will facilitate the largest infrastructure building program in Ontario's history, so that the province's infrastructure is ready to meet the future needs of Ontario's people.